ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad condoles Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s demise
Union Minister of Electronics & IT and Law & Justice, Sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad has expressed profound grief on the sad demise of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In a message to aggrieved family and to the nation, Sh. Prasad said “I deeply condole the sad demise of Atal Ji who was main pillar of the BJP from JanSangh days, articulated the ideology of the Party effectively, ensured that it gets respect in the country and laid a solid foundation of the Party, which has become the main pillar of India today.
He would be remembered forever for dedicating his entire life for the cause of the nation and building a strong, developed and prosperous India.
I had the privilege of being associated with this great son of India since my childhood. His inspiration, direction and roadmap for the development of India would continue to guide us in shaping new India.”
NNK/MD
(Visitor Counter : 557
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
One District One Focus Product Scheme
The One District One Focus Product  programme cover products of agriculture and allied sectors for 728 districts of the country. The Government has decided to converge resources from ongoing centrally sponsored schemes such as Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture , National Food Security Mission , Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana , Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana , schemes of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying for ODOFP.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries  provides financial support under Centrally Sponsored Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme  for One District One Focus Product. PM FME provides financial, technical and business support for upgradation of existing micro food processing enterprises etc. The scheme adopts One District One Product  approach to reap the benefits of scale in terms of procurement of inputs, availing common services and marketing of products.
The identified products have potential for both domestic demand and export. PM FME scheme envisages strengthening backward and forward linkages, provision of common facilities, incubation centres, training, research and development , marketing and branding. The enhanced capacity of processing and value addition in agriculture and allied sector products is for better price realization by the farmers. This scheme is being implemented for a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Key Initiatives for Industrial Development Post GST and Demonetisation
Government is continuously taking steps to facilitate industrial development in the country though no specific year-wise targets for industrial development are assigned. Key initiatives include Make in India under which thrust sectors have been identified to provide a push to manufacturing and Start-up India to strengthen the start-up ecosystem. The Ease of Doing Business initiative aims to create a conducive environment by streamlining existing regulations and processes and eliminating unnecessary requirements and procedures.
Foreign Direct Investment policy and procedures have been simplified and liberalised progressively. Measures for the micro small and medium enterprisesinclude Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, Cluster Development Programme, Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme and Credit Guarantee scheme. The government has also implemented special packages for leather and footwear, textile and food processing sector etc. Further, the Government has notified schemes for the North Eastern Region & Himalayan States to boost industrial development in these regions. State/UT- wise details of targets for industrial development and achievements are not centrally maintained.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Commerce and Industry, C. R. Chaudhary, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha yesterday.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Groundwater affects Himalayan slip and climate as the mountains dance to its tune
, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, have found the mighty Himalayas subside and move up depending on the seasonal changes in groundwater. Since Himalayas play a very important role in influencing climate in the Indian subcontinent, the study funded by DST will help in understanding how hydrology affects climate.
The Himalayan foothills and the Indo-Gangetic plain are sinking because its contiguous areas are rising due to tectonic activity associated with landmass movement or continental drift. The new study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research shows that subsidence and uplift are found to be associated with seasonal changes in groundwater, apart from the normal, common reasons. Water acts as a lubricating agent, and hence when there is water in the dry season, the rate of slip of the fault in this region is reduced.
Nobody till now has looked at the rising Himalayas from a hydrological standpoint. Ajish Saji, working towards his Ph.D. under Prof Sunil Sukumaran, has looked at this phenomenon through this innovative prism. The water storage and surface load variations are quite tricky to quantify through the application of extant global models.
In the Himalaya, seasonal water from glaciers, as well as monsoon precipitation, plays a key role in the deformation of the crust and the seismicity associated with it. The subsidence rate is associated with groundwater consumption.
The researchers have made the combined use of Global Positioning System and Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment  data, which has made it possible for them to quantify the variations of hydrologic mass. The GRACE satellites, launched by the US in 2002, monitor changes in water and snow stores on the continents. This made it possible for the IIG team to study terrestrial hydrology.
A Schematic illustration of the study area in a GPS and GRACE satellite perspective view
According to the researchers, the combined GPS and GRACE data suggest a 12% reduction in the rate of the subsurface slip. This slip refers to how fast the fault is slipping relative to the foot and hanging wall. The slip occurs at the Main Himalayan Thrust , due to hydrological variations and human activities, over which there is the periodic release of accumulated strain.
Ministry of Defence
Road Accident Involving IAF Service Vehicle at Barmer
On 21 Aug 19 at about 1015 h, an Indian Air Force service vehicle met with an accident near Barmer, Rajasthan. There were six IAF personnel travelling in the vehicle. Corporal GS Rawat, Non Combatant  Ashok Kumar and Non Combatant  L Serpa Kumar sustained fatal injuries. Sergeant Mani Ram and Non Combatant  Arun Kumar, who have sustained severe injuries, have been airlifted to Military Hospital, Jodhpur. Corporal Prasad, who sustained minor injuries, is being treated at Govt Hospital, Barmer. Indian Air Force expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased air-warriors. Investigation has been ordered by IAF authorities.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inspects the progress of Special Campaign 2.0 on Swachhta
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inspected the South Block premises in New Delhi on 4th October 2022, as part of monitoring the progress of Special Campaign 2.0 on Swachhta being conducted by Ministry of Defence. He administered an oath on Swachhta to the officials of Ministry of Defence and sanitation staff and felicitated the Swachhta veers for their commendable efforts in keeping the premises neat and tidy.
Raksha Mantri said that the cleanliness drive started by Mahatma Gandhi has been transformed into a nationwide movement under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by taking it to every nook and corner of the country. Compared to earlier times, the cities and villages in the country are more clean today after the launch of Swachhta movement which enhanced awareness among the people.
The Special Campaign 2.0 of the Ministry of Defence is being carried out from 2nd October 2022 to 31st October 2022 with emphasis on field/outstation offices under the Ministry. Special focus is on space management and enhancement of work place experience. Offices responsible for public interface and service delivery are given preference.
During the Special Campaign 1.0 on Swachhata, a record number of 44276 files were reviewed and 16696 files were weeded out in the Ministry of Defence. 833 outdoor cleanliness campaigns were conducted, 187790 sq. ft of space was freed and a revenue of 2.09 crore was generated from the sale of office scrap during the campaign.
ABB/SR/GC
(Visitor Counter : 936
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Registration of Child Care Institutions
All adoptions under the Juvenile Justice  Act , 2015 are done through a Centralised System - Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System  which is maintained by Central Adoption Resource Authority . As per CARINGS, 3664 children are legally free for adoption in Specialised Adoption Agencies  and Child Care Institutions  against 25,265 Prospective Adoptive Parents who registered for adoption.
As per provisions of the JJ Act, 2015, CCIs are not required to be registered with CARA. However, under Section 41 of the JJ Act, 2015, all CCIs housing children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law are to be mandatorily registered with State Governments/UT Administrations. As reported by States and UTs on 8.01.2019, there are 7909 CCIs registered in the country under the JJ Act, 2015.
In order to ensure that all registered CCIs housing orphaned/ abandoned/ surrendered children are linked to a SAA, the Ministry of Women and Child Development issues advisories from time to time to all State Governments/ UT Administrations.
This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Education
Ministry of HRD is implementing the Scheme of Vocationalisation of School Education to promote vocational education among children: HRD Minister
Ministry of Human Resource Development is implementing the Scheme of Vocationalisation of School Education under the umbrella of ‘Samagra Shiksha – an integrated scheme for school education’. Under the scheme a vocational subject is offered for Classes IX to XII along with the general education to provide necessary employability and vocational skills for variety of occupations. Till 2018-19, the scheme has been implemented in 8654 schools, with reported enrolment of more than 10 lakhs students.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training  have included the basic contents on Goods and Services Tax  in their textbooks ofEconomics, Accountancy and Business Studies at different stages.The NCERT text books for various stages of school education already incorporate the contents relating to the basics of Indian Law and Constitution. NCERT has also developed Information and Communication Technology  Curriculum for teachers and students in school education. As part of this Curriculum, social and ethical issues related to use of internet have been dealt with. The focus of the Curriculum is on safe and secure use of web space by students and teachers.
The Scheme of Vocationalisation of School Education under the umbrella of ‘Samagra Shiksha’ is implemented in all the States and Union Territories.Education being a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and the majority of schools are under the jurisdiction of the State Governments, it is for the respective State/Union Territory Government to adopt/adapt the NCERT model textbooks,having contents on GST and basic law tenets, and the ICT curriculum for teachers and students,for their schools.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to dedicate Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor project on 19th June
Main Tunnel and five underpasses to be dedicated
It is an integral part of Pragati Maidan Redevelopment Project
Will ensure hassle-free vehicular movement and reduce traffic load of Bhairon Marg
Project another step towards ensuring ease of living through transforming urban infrastructure
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation the main tunnel and five underpasses of Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor Project on 19th June, 2022 at 10:30 AM. He will also address the gathering on the occasion. The Integrated Transit Corridor project is an integral part of Pragati Maidan Redevelopment Project.
The Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor project has been built at a cost of more than Rs. 920 crore, entirely funded by the Central Government. It is aimed to provide hassle free and smooth access to the new world class exhibition and convention centre being developed at Pragati Maidan, thereby facilitating easy participation of exhibitors and visitors in the programmes being held at Pragati Maidan.
The impact of the project, however, will be much beyond Pragati Maidan as it will ensure hassle-free vehicular movement, helping save time and cost of commuters in a big way. It is part of the overarching vision of the government to ensure ease of living for people through transforming urban infrastructure.
The main Tunnel connects Ring Road with India Gate via Purana Qila Road passing through Pragati Maidan. The six lane divided Tunnel has multiple purposes, including access to the huge basement parking of Pragati Maidan. A unique component of the Tunnel is that two cross tunnels below the main tunnel road have been constructed in order to facilitate movement of the traffic from either side of the parking lot. It is equipped with the latest global standard facilities for smooth movement of traffic such as smart fire management, modern ventilation and automated drainage, digitally controlled CCTV and Public Announcement system inside the Tunnel. This long-awaited Tunnel will serve as an alternative route to Bhairon Marg, which is running much beyond its carriage capacity and is expected to take more than half of the traffic load of Bhairon Marg.
Along with the tunnel, there will be six underpasses – four on Mathura Road, one on Bhairon Marg and one on the intersection of Ring Road and Bhairon Marg.
Ministry of Education
India and Singapore are natural allies with strong relations in education and skill development sectors - Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan meets a delegation from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Key Highlights:
- Discussions were centred around strengthening cooperation in the education sector with a focus on democratising innovation, driving entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for the youth.
Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today met a delegation of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, led by Ms. Amanda Kwek, First Secretary, Singapore High Commission. They discussed strengthening cooperation in the education sector with a focus on democratising innovation, driving entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for the youth.
During the meeting, Shri Pradhan said that India and Singapore are natural allies with strong relations in education and skill development sectors. We look forward to enhancing cooperation with participation of academia and the industry, he added.
Prime Minister's Office
PM's message on World Health Day
Following is the text of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s message on World Health Day.
"The Government of India is taking numerous measures including Ayushman Bharat and PM Janaushadhi Yojana to ensure people get access to top quality and affordable healthcare. India is also conducting the world’s largest vaccination drive to strengthen the fight against COVID-19.
On World Health Day, let us keep the focus on fighting COVID-19 by taking all possible precautions including wearing a mask, regularly washing hands and following the other protocols.
At the same time, do take all possible steps to boost immunity and stay fit.
World Health Day is a day to reaffirm our gratitude and appreciation to all those who work day and night to keep our planet healthy. It’s also a day to reiterate our commitment to supporting research and innovation in healthcare."
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
69% of the daily new cases are contributed by eight States/UT i.e. Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala, West Bengal ,Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Chhattisgarh
Tests per million population cross 1 lakh mark
23 States/UTs have better tests per million population than the national average
The Active Caseload of India stands at 4,54,940 today. Present contribution of Active Caseload to India’s total positive cases is4.87%.
41,322 new confirmed COVID cases have been registered in the last 24 hours in the country.
69.04% of the daily new cases are contributed by eight States/UT i.e. Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Chhattisgarh.
Maharashtra leads the tally with 6,185new COVID cases. Delhi has recorded 5,482 cases, while Keralafollows with 3,966new cases.
Tests per million population has crossed 1 lakh mark today. India’s tests per million population stand at 100,159.7.
With 11,57,605 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the cumulative tests are 13.82 crore 
Sustained and progressive expansion in testing infrastructure has played a crucial role in the steep rise of testing numbers. With 2,161 testing labs in the country including 1175 Government laboratories and 986 Private laboratories, the daily testing capacity has got a substantial boost.
Following the national pursuit, 23 States/UTs have better tests per million population than the national average.
13 States/UTs have lower tests per million population than national average.
Total recovered cases in India are87.59 lakhs .The national recovery rate stands at 93.68% today.
41,452 recoveries have been registered in the last 24 hours in the country.
76.55% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs.
Delhi has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 5,937 newly discharged cases. 4,544people recovered in Kerala followed by 4,089 in Maharashtra.
78.35%of the 485 case fatalities reported in the past 24 hours are concentrated in ten States/UTs.
Delhi with 98 deaths reported the maximum new fatalities. Maharashtrasaw a fatality count of 85 followed by West Bengal with 46 deaths.
Ministry of Culture
Shri Prahlad Singh Patel chairs 6th meeting of BRICS Culture Ministers through video conference
The Minister of State  for Culture and Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel hosted 6th BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting on Friday through video conference. The delegates from Culture Ministries of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa participated in the meeting.
Discussion was held for advancement and expansion of cultural activities amongst BRICS countries under the theme Bonding and Harmonizing Cultural Synergy.
Minister of State for Culture addressed participants of the meeting and presented India’s perspective to strengthen the cultural cooperation within BRICS. Taking the cognizance of the Covid 19 conditions world has been facing for last one and half year, Minister
Minister of State for Culture addressed participants of the meeting and presented India’s perspective to strengthen the cultural cooperation within BRICS. Taking the cognizance of the Covid 19 conditions world has been facing for last one and half year, Minister showed his concerns for the adverse effects of the pandemic on all fields of life including the cultural dimension. He commented the use of digital techniques and its acceptability in the prevailing conditions.
Minister emphasized on collaborations in the field of online exchange of cultural experiences on knowledge of tangible and intangible heritage amongst BRICS countries. He highlighted the importance of the role of culture for establishing vibrant international humanitarian dialogue. He appreciated the efforts of cultural organizations of BRICS countries for conducting online cultural activities in the fields of museums, arts, theatres etc. With the intent of utilizing the invaluable treasure of information contained in our manuscripts, Minister proposed for formation of BRICS Alliance in the field of conservation, preservation and digitization of ancient manuscripts.
Shri Patel further highlighted the need to protect our tangible and intangible cultural heritage through mutual help and support within the BRICS framework in addition to the compliance of prevailing UNESCO Conventions. He also shared the historic occasion of commencement of celebrations of 75 years of India’s freedom which commenced in March 2021 under the aegis of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava Programme’.
Shri Patel also mentioned the aptness of India’s theme for BRICS Chairship “BRICS@15: Intra-BRICS cooperation for continuity, consolidation and consciousness in context of promotion of BRICS cultural cooperation.
In the Declaration of the meeting, it was agreed upon to strengthen and enhance cultural cooperation amongst BRICS Nations in the fields of museums, art galleries, theatre, libraries and promote use of modern technologies to conduct online events to overcome the adverse effects of pandemic like situations.
At the end of the meeting, the Declaration of the VI Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Culture was signed by all the representatives of Member States.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal underlines efforts to provide social justice by the Modi Government to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat, interacts with the beneficiaries of the Government
Good governance armed with service are at the core of People’s welfare under the Modi govt
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal interacted with beneficiaries of various government welfare schemes while he virtually joined the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Garib Kalyan Sammelan from Visakhapatnam today. The Minister interacted with the beneficiaries and learnt their stories of motivation that have become embodiment of a transformation in the New India.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sonowal said, “Under the visionary leadership of our beloved Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, India is turning into a global superpower. At the foundation of this transformation, the historic social justice provided by the government to the most needy citizen of our country. This has helped us to inch closer towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat, slowly but steadily, and build a just society.”
The Garib Kalyan Sammelan was designed for a dialogue between elected representatives directly with the public to get a first hand account about the various welfare schemes run by the government.
Highlighting the role of Andhra people, the Minister said, “The people of Andhra Pradesh are very hard working & your state is full of potential. This has been recognised by Modiji. We must heed to the clarion call given by our leader to develop an Atmanirbhar Bharat. Under his leadership, this vision will become a reality and we must work together to develop Andhra Pradesh as one of the best states in the country.”